U.S. Navy musician joins Dominic Greco Band for patriotic concert
However, on Saturday, July 2, the band's concert was even more memorable as an active member of what many claim to be one of the finest bands in the world, the U.S. Navy Band, joined the 90-plus-member ensemble. Added to the special event was the relationship between the guest French horn player, a clarinet player and even director Frederick Delphia.
Musician 1st Class Thomas C. Wheeler joined the Navy Band in 2003 but last week, he brought his musical talents back to Ohio and the Dominic Greco Band. Wheeler, a graduate of West Holmes High School, joined his father, Roger Wheeler, an anchor clarinet player in the Greco band.
"I felt honored to play with them tonight," said Petty Officer Wheeler after the concert. "They are great. They have a great horn section, and it's evident that they rehearse well together."
Wheeler, a resident of Virginia, added that he divides his time with the U.S. Navy ceremonial band and concert band. The ceremonial band performs during Arlington National Cemetery events and official Navy events, while the concert band typically hosts two concerts a week. The concerts are held Monday night on the Capitol steps and Tuesday evening at the U.S. Navy Memorial.
The Navy musician returned to Ohio for a few days with his family to attend a reunion. After the concert, they were soon returning to the Washington D.C. area, so Wheeler could get back to work playing music for our country.
Roger Wheeler, the petty officer's father, was beaming with pride as his son joined the Dominic Greco Band for the performance. After the concert, the former West Holmes band director summed up the experience.
"This is a special concert with all the patriotic music. But tonight was very nice," he stated smiling. "He's the youngest of our four children, and I'm proud of them all. But he's the one's who's followed music for his career."
The former Army veteran said many years ago, his advice to his son was "'follow your dreams.' And he certainly has done that."
For Dominic Greco Band director Frederick Delphia, having Petty Officer Wheeler join the band's French horn section was a perfect complement to the patriotic concert. "The fact of having an active duty personnel sit in and play with the band and the fact that he is in one of the finest bands in the world was a thrill for us."
During the concert, Delphia, a former U.S. Navy musician himself said, "When I looked over at him, even though he didn't wear his uniform, it did bring back a lot of memories. I know what it is like to play in a service band. It is very demanding to play in one of the top bands."
Looking back at the First Town Days concert, Delphia said, "Over the years, we've had a lot of really great concerts, but that one would rank up there with the music played, how well the band played, and how it was received by the audience. The band fed off the audience and that always makes for a good concert."
To learn more about the Dominic Greco Band, follow them on Facebook or log on to their website at http://www.DominicGrecoBand.org.
Published: July 5, 2011
